Before You Make Your Christmas Memories this year...

...read this book.

By Jen of People I Want to Punch in the Throat - 2012 (Amazon 7.99 paperback, 4.99 Kindle)

One of my guilty reading pleasures is humor.  I used to have an entire shelf of humor books before I had to downsize my bookshelves (due to our household takeover).  They're in the attic now, and I miss them.  (Yeah, yeah, I should get a Kindle.  Maybe I will someday.  Right now I'm still a dinosaur when it comes to reading).  I love something that makes me laugh so hard that my stomach hurts, I'm near tears, and when I remember random parts in my head while eating dinner, sitting in church, or spending time with Adam, I spontaneously burst out laughing and whoever I'm with looks at me like I'm crazy (or if I'm in church, I try to hold my laughing in and look like I'm having some sort of fit).  Then I try to explain by quoting what is going on in my head, and I laugh so hard I can't get it out.  And they continue to think I'm crazy.

That's this book.

It's no secret to anyone who knows me that I love reading the blog People I Want to Punch in the Throat.  I've recommended it to many friends and emailed links when something has really resonated with me.  It's written by Jen.  In her words

...I'm Jen.  I'm a sarcastic, kind of bitchy, hysterical, sometimes offensive, middle aged, tired, married, mother of two who tends to say out loud (with as many profanities as possible) what everyone else is thinking.

 The book is a mix of Jen's take on the hoopla surrounding the holidays along with some funnier Christmas recollections from her own childhood and young adult days.  I can relate to almost everything, and what I can't relate to, I laughed at.  Her essays are on topics such as:

• Family Christmas lore.  For Jen, it centers around the Playskool McDonald's.  I can relate.  I am often reminded about how I threw up in the middle of the mall on Christmas Eve.  I don't remember doing it, but I do remember the story being told OVER and OVER.  
• Cookie Swaps.  Oh, the pressure.  I am totally stealing her recipe even though she claims the only award you'll win is the "Martha Stewart Died a Little Inside Award".
• The Annual Christmas Picture.  I can totally relate, as I'm guilty of subjecting my family to this.  Her description of the Hubs and Adolpha's smile?  That's Adam.  Check our wedding pictures.  I'll still DO it, but this chapter forced me to laugh at myself.
• Christmas Lights.  The fun of being the dark house.  We aren't the dark house exactly, but we're definitely not impressing anyone.
• The Annual Christmas Letter.  Stay tuned for my first one this year (now that I'm finally ready to follow in my mom's footsteps).
• 10 Things to Hate about the Holidays.  Written in a totally tongue in cheek fashion...it's not as Scroogy as it sounds.  
• Mom and her very special decor.  Mom, you aren't quite there, but I totally thought of you.  I think we all know someone with a house like this.  I dare you to count Santas and Snowmen this year.

And of course....

• The Elf on the Shelf .  The post that introduced me to Jen and her blog.

Jen's voice comes through loud and clear.  I don't know her, but reading her writing, I feel like I do.  She's the mommy friend I wish I had because she'd help keep me grounded, help me laugh at myself, and of course, become much more articulate in my vents!

Jen's book is the perfect book to enjoy as we head toward the two months of craziness that will begin as soon as the Halloween candy is off the shelves.  Buy it, read it, laugh until you cry and the children look at you with great concern (as mine did).  It's a quick read but one you'll go back and read again.

As Meredith, I had the holidays DOWN, but as Mommy, I'm still working on it.  I KNOW I'll be thinking of it as I embrace my wannabe overachieving mom goals this year!